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A forgotten underclass of young veterans is struggling to get by, while often suffering from mental and physical illnesses, according to a major new study by a leading military charity.

Thousands who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland or the Balkans have failed to make the switch to civilian life and find work, leaving them battling debt, depression and homelessness.

The “forgotten generation” survives on an average household income of £13,800 a year and many feel they have been let down in return for serving their country, the study by SSAFA found.

A former head of the Armed Forces said the study showed Britain “simply must do better for those who have served our nation”.

The report, called The New Front Line, by the charity formerly known as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, found that much of society’s focus is on older veterans, leaving younger veterans ignored.

Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, chief executive, said: “Our research has identified a cohort of veterans living in pretty desperate circumstances, often through no fault of their own. These men and women are not fulfilling their potential in civilian life; their plight is too easily ignored.”

David SwiftCredit:
SSAFA

The charity found that while most veterans make a successful switch to civilian life and work, many fall through the gap. In a survey of 1,000 veterans aged under 65 who have sought help from the charity, it found half did not have enough money to buy essentials and half were out of work.

Seven out of ten have long-term physical or mental health conditions.

David Swift, who joined up on his 17th birthday and served for nearly six years with the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment including a tour in Bosnia, ended up sleeping rough and struggling with drink after leaving the Army and then losing his home, partner and children.

He said: “You don’t know how to be a civilian. All your bills have been paid for you, you don’t have to want for anything, you have people doing lots for you, all you have to do is your job.

“I had gone from being this tough young lad who believed himself to be the best of the best to being a very depressed guy who couldn’t do anything.

“I felt I had no one with me after having 600 to 800 lads around me.”

Mr Swift, 40, from St Helens, said it had taken him 10 years to finally settle into civilian life and he knew “lots” of comrades who had gone through the same.

Field Marshal Lord Guthrie, former Chief of the Defence Staff, said the report was “sober reading”.

He said: “It identifies a group of veterans who feel undervalued and under-appreciated, who are slipping through the net when we, as a society, could prevent that happening.”